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thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, and Medical content
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book pleasantly surprised me.
I originally added Maurice to my TBR because of the interesting background story, that's what got my attention. Forster wrote this in 1914 but it wasn't released until 1971, the year after he died. This book is so explicitly gay that it couldn't safely be published in its time.
Maurice is about a gay man in the early 1910s, struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and dealing with queer romance. The novel also explores themes of religion and class.
I won't spoil anything, but the specific detail that is apparently the main reason why it couldn't be published – it's just sad. And ironic.it has a happy ending, or at least can be interpreted as happy. Apparently this would have been more acceptable if it had ended with suicide... how awful!
As I was putting together a loose TBR for autumn (it's only the end of August, I'm an early prepper), I took this book into consideration, reading the first few pages to help me decide. Well, I was instantly pulled in, only taking a few days to finish the whole book. Maurice is pretty fast paced for a classic. The writing style is sweet at times, but not too wordy. It also feels very... contemporary for its time, if that makes sense? Rather than having an almost universal "old timey" feel. It's kind of like how The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton absolutely screams 1960s, with certain terms and phrases that don't show up much in other eras, as far as I know.
In addition to the writing style being more fast paced and accessible than I had expected, Maurice is surprising because it's even more explicitly gay than I had imagined. If I were around in the 1970s and read this, I'd be gobsmacked! Can't even imagine what it would have been like if it were released in 1914. Of course, this is very tame compared to more recent pieces of queer media, thankfully we've come a long way since the early 1900s.
Now, let's get into what I didn't like. While I think the somewhat plain language is okay, I felt that the plot needed more room to breathe, maybe ~20 pages longer to flesh things out better? Particularly the last act, which was originally even shorter?! Not everyone will agree, but it uses a certain trope that is a huge turn off for me as a reader. The trope:insta-love, aka love at first sight. Ack! It's just not believable, and makes it hard to identify with the characters, especially with a new character being introduced late on in the story. I'm a slow burn fan
Overall, I didn't connect deeply with this book, but it was entertaining to read, and I appreciate its uniqueness.
I would recommend Maurice if you like: queer history, academic settings, morally gray characters, ambiguous endings.
I originally added Maurice to my TBR because of the interesting background story, that's what got my attention. Forster wrote this in 1914 but it wasn't released until 1971, the year after he died. This book is so explicitly gay that it couldn't safely be published in its time.
Maurice is about a gay man in the early 1910s, struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and dealing with queer romance. The novel also explores themes of religion and class.
I won't spoil anything, but the specific detail that is apparently the main reason why it couldn't be published – it's just sad. And ironic.
As I was putting together a loose TBR for autumn (it's only the end of August, I'm an early prepper), I took this book into consideration, reading the first few pages to help me decide. Well, I was instantly pulled in, only taking a few days to finish the whole book. Maurice is pretty fast paced for a classic. The writing style is sweet at times, but not too wordy. It also feels very... contemporary for its time, if that makes sense? Rather than having an almost universal "old timey" feel. It's kind of like how The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton absolutely screams 1960s, with certain terms and phrases that don't show up much in other eras, as far as I know.
In addition to the writing style being more fast paced and accessible than I had expected, Maurice is surprising because it's even more explicitly gay than I had imagined. If I were around in the 1970s and read this, I'd be gobsmacked! Can't even imagine what it would have been like if it were released in 1914. Of course, this is very tame compared to more recent pieces of queer media, thankfully we've come a long way since the early 1900s.
Now, let's get into what I didn't like. While I think the somewhat plain language is okay, I felt that the plot needed more room to breathe, maybe ~20 pages longer to flesh things out better? Particularly the last act, which was originally even shorter?! Not everyone will agree, but it uses a certain trope that is a huge turn off for me as a reader. The trope:
Overall, I didn't connect deeply with this book, but it was entertaining to read, and I appreciate its uniqueness.
I would recommend Maurice if you like: queer history, academic settings, morally gray characters, ambiguous endings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content and Classism
toksoplazmozy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Classism
josiee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
fanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
♡ Gay Classic
♡ Good Humor
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending
I genuinely didn’t think I would like this book as much as I did. I’m not a big classics reader, but this book was so lovely and truly iconic for its time. Also the fact a gay book written in 1913 has a happy ending leaves no excuses for the gay books here in 2024 being so sad.
The author really brought the characters to life so well, setting up the perfect atmosphere, and writing a compelling queer love story before it was accepted to do so. It’s a shame the author didn’t get to see how well loved his book would be.
Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧 (3/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 1972
Rep: Gay (Main Character), Queer (Side Characters)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, and Sexual content
24carrotgay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was absolutely beautiful. I watched the movie prior to reading because I didn’t know it was based on a book. I got particularly attached to Clive and Maurice’s relationship watching the movie, but the book left me endlessly happy for Maurice and Alec! I think the best part of the happy ending, though, was that Maurice finally accepted himself and rejected society. I so admire E.M. Forester— I think everyone should read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Pedophilia
cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was very positively surprised by this book.
I must say, that my hopes weren't too high after The Picture of Dorian Gray was so infamously known for it's early homosexual representation, which imprisoned Oscar Wilde. Although the uncensored version includes a tirade of a clearly homosexual confession, the remaining book was really just Dorian being corrupted by his own and others' obsession with his beauty. Which is gay, but not homosexual.
However, that was not the case here! Forster did not try to hide a clearly homosexual story behind something else — it's very explicitly about Maurice's journey to finding himself.
It's written well and it was surprisingly efficient for a classic. I often feel like classics have a lot of ... irrelevant tirades to show off the author's education and intellect. I was never bored or felt urgent to skip parts during this read.
As for the characters, they all clearly have issues. I do love that there are flawed characters here. Maurice is explicitly described as a dumbass every other chapter.
And on that note, I find the balance with humour especially pleasant. The dialogue is very realistic to me and I like how it reflects human nature.
It's not too long and it was a great read to get me out of a reading slump.
It's noteworthy that I'm a gay man myself and might find the book slightly more engaging than others, but anyone with an interest in classical romance dramas would enjoy this. It has the forbidden love, classism, the internal conflict, betrayal, and all that, only with two men rather than a woman and a man.
I must say, that my hopes weren't too high after The Picture of Dorian Gray was so infamously known for it's early homosexual representation, which imprisoned Oscar Wilde. Although the uncensored version includes a tirade of a clearly homosexual confession, the remaining book was really just Dorian being corrupted by his own and others' obsession with his beauty. Which is gay, but not homosexual.
However, that was not the case here! Forster did not try to hide a clearly homosexual story behind something else — it's very explicitly about Maurice's journey to finding himself.
It's written well and it was surprisingly efficient for a classic. I often feel like classics have a lot of ... irrelevant tirades to show off the author's education and intellect. I was never bored or felt urgent to skip parts during this read.
As for the characters, they all clearly have issues. I do love that there are flawed characters here. Maurice is explicitly described as a dumbass every other chapter.
And on that note, I find the balance with humour especially pleasant. The dialogue is very realistic to me and I like how it reflects human nature.
It's not too long and it was a great read to get me out of a reading slump.
It's noteworthy that I'm a gay man myself and might find the book slightly more engaging than others, but anyone with an interest in classical romance dramas would enjoy this. It has the forbidden love, classism, the internal conflict, betrayal, and all that, only with two men rather than a woman and a man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I love this book more than I could possibly say.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Outing, and Classism
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Medical content
themoostconfused's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
thepictureofromance's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing in this book was superb, I like Forester's style and he's really quite funny!!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment